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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARVEY K. FLAGLER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO \VARREN M. ABBOTT, OF SAME PLACE.

ARTIFICIAL FUEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,394, dated October 28, 1890.

Application filed July 5, 1890. Serial No. 357,864. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARVEY K. FLAGLER, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Method of Burning Liquid Fuel, of which the following IS a specification.

This invention has for its object to facilitate the combustion of liquid fuel, such as the hydrocarbon oils, coal-tar, &e., generally used as fuel 5 and it consists in mingling with the liquid fuel, where the same is in an atom- 1zed condition, a chemical solution adapted to secure complete combustion of the carbon which is present in such fuel, and thereby not only obtain more effective fire and a greater degree of heat, butalso obviate the production of smoke and soot, the chemical solution preventing the escape and rendering complete the combustion of the carbon and gases which usually are imperfectly consumed and result in the production of smoke and soot and the creation of foul odors, all of which are prevented by my invention.

In carrying out my invention I supply to the oil or liquid fuel that is being burned while in the form of spray a chemical compound or solution, preferably composed of the following ingredients, of which Iprefer to use about the following proportions forevery gallon of liquid fuel consumed, viz: sea-water, one-half gallon; fresh water, one-half gallon; crude nitrate of soda, four ounces; sal-niter, four ounces; Glaubers salt, four ounces; common salt, four ounces; salammoniac, one-half ounce; borax, one-half ounce.

The chemicals are dissolved in the water above specified, the whole forming a liquid solution which is mixed with the liquid fuel in any suitable way. For example, the solution may be conducted by a pipe from a reservoir in which it is stored to the burner and there delivered at a suitable point to cause its atomization by the steam employed to atomize the liquid fuel and its mixture in an atomized form with the atoms of fuel either at the point of combustion or just before the atoms reach said point; or the solution may be placed with the fuel in a reservoir and kept mixed therewith bya rotary agitator in the tank and fed in a mixed condition to the burner.

The liquid fuel and the solution may be mixed in a chamber or retort, which is externally heated, the heat disintegrating the mixture and converting it into a combustible vapor or gas for heating and for illuminating purposes.

I have found by practical tests that the mixture of the described solution with the liquid fuel causes perfect combustion, so that there is no escape of smoke, soot, or gases.

I do not limit myself to the use of all of the ingredients above specified, as a solution productive of good results may be produced by mixing sea-water, nitrate of soda, and salniter, or when sea-water is not available by mixing fresh water, common salt, Glaubers salt, nitrate of soda, and sal-niter, the essential elements being nitrate of soda and sal-niter, dissolved in water which has a suitable proportion of salt. I prefer, however, the conjoint use of sea-water, fresh water, common salt, Glaubers salt, sal-ammoniac, and borax with the essential elements above specified, the whole forming a solution or compound which produces better results than when only the elements above mentioned as essential are employed.

By this process heavy oils which have not heretofore been considered suitable for fuel without refining on account of the foreign matter or residuum which they contain can be utilized without the expense and loss attending the removal of such residuum by the refining process. Hence this invention is calculated to produce a market for low grades of coal-oils and heavy crude petroleum-oils, such as are found in Ohio, Canada, and other 10- calities.

The principle involved in this invention may be utilized for illuminating purposes, and when so used makes lighting by the combustion of liquid fuel feasible and without objection, by insuring perfect combustion and thus freeing the gas from its poisonous products, insuring greater economy and produc ing a much clearer and brighter flame, instead of allowing the impurities to pass into the at- The compound consisting of hydrocarbon oil, nitrate of soda, sal-niter, salt, and water, I5 commingled 'substantiallyin the manner and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 30th day of 20 June, A. D. 1890.

HARVEY K. FLAGLER.

Witnesses:

O. F. BROWN, A. D. HARRISON. 

